Judaica artist to offer workshops in South Florida

Courtesy

Judaica artist Gary Rosenthal, who has been sculpting in welded medals and fused glass since the early 1970’s, will hold four workshops in two days in South Florida on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 as a fundraiser for AMIT, an Israeli educational network. Courtesy

Judaica artist Gary Rosenthal, who has been sculpting in welded medals and fused glass since the early 1970’s, will hold four workshops in two days in South Florida on Feb. 12 and Feb. 13 as a fundraiser for AMIT, an Israeli educational network. Courtesy (Courtesy)

World-renowned Judaica artist Gary Rosenthal is coming to South Florida in mid-February to offer the chance for participants at four events to work side-by-side with him to create unique fused-glass art through his Hiddur Mitzvah craft program.

The events are being staged as fundraisers for AMIT — an educational network that operates 110 schools, youth villages and programs (serving 34,000 children) in 29 cities throughout Israel.

The events are being organized by the Hollywood-based Southeast Region of AMIT.

The Hiddur Mitzvah Project makes it possible for anyone to create their own Judaica in the style of Gary Rosenthal. The complex process of creating fused glass is simplified so that anyone at all can make their own. Using white craft glue, participants create mosaics of tumbled glass pieces on pre-cut glass templates.

These mosaics are then sent back to the Gary Rosenthal Collection studio where they are fired and become part of a finished piece of personalized Judaica.

Participants also will be able to purchase an item from a trunk show of Rosenthal's, which he will be available to sign. Rosenthal also has created an exclusive tzedakah (charity) box for AMIT that is now available for pre-purchase.

"Our hope is to bring the Jewish community together," said Robin Isaacson, director of the AMIT Southeast Region. "Generations, friends and loved ones working side-by-side to make their own yad (Torah pointer) for their bar mitzvahs; a menorah (candleholder) to light every year on Hanukkah; or a mezuzah (doorpost scroll) as a daily reminder of the memories they made. Everyone will be creating connections through broken glass and all the while supporting the AMIT children in Israel too."

"At the events we will be gluing shards of glass to be fused together to create beautiful Judaica for our homes," Isaacson continued. "Every day, AMIT is fusing together the shattered lives of the children who come to live in our youth villages because of the most severe circumstances and turning their lives into something beautiful."

Isaacson recently recalled fondly her own participation in a similar workshop with Rosenthal a number of years ago.

"Having had the opportunity to work side-by-side with Gary previously, along with my two boys, to create the two yads they each used at their bar mitzvahs were irreplaceable memories for our family," Isaacson said. "I have overheard grandparents working with their grandchild at an event like this to make a menorah, saying 'One day when I am not here you will light this menorah every Hanukkah and remember me.'"

Elaine Brief of North Miami Beach has already signed up for one of the workshops and is excitedly looking forward to it.

"I am so excited to have an acclaimed Jewish artist working with us to create our own piece of art," Brief said. "AMIT is that rare organization that works to maximize each individual student's potential while imbuing them with a love of Judaism and Israel."

According to Rosenthal, he has been sculpting in welded metals since the early 1970's. Together with a team of talented craftspeople he creates one of the most popular and unique lines of Judaic art in the country.

"Combining copper, brass and steel with brilliant fused glass, the Gary Rosenthal Collection has a contemporary style rooted in tradition," Rosenthal said. "My inspiration comes from the rich history of the Jewish people which tells us it's a mitzvah (a blessing) to make beautiful, functional art."

Work from Rosenthal's collection has been presented to Presidents and celebrities, and been seen worldwide in many fine galleries, private collections and museum shops.

In its 91 years, AMIT has reached hundreds of thousands of youngsters and provides the highest level of academic excellence as demonstrated by higher than national average test scores by 20 percent.

"We continuously work to strengthen Israel by raising generations of self-reliant, productive young people with the skills necessary to build a successful future," Isaacson said. "AMIT's graduates are today among Israel's hi-tech, science, business and educational professionals, 95 percent of whom serve in the IDF and perform national service."